IDEA’s Principal-in-Residence Program

Join a cohort of transformational school leaders and change the educational landscape for thousands of children in underserved communities.

About the Program

When you are accepted into IDEA’s Principal in Residence (PIR) Program, you join a cohort of the highest performing school leaders in the country. This full-time, intensive, paid learning opportunity provides participants with leadership development from IDEA’s most successful school and district leaders.

PIRs complete their residency in IDEA schools across three of our Texas regions: Austin, San Antonio, and the Rio Grande Valley. Upon completion of the program, PIRs will lead IDEA schools as Principals in Austin, Baton Rouge, El Paso, Houston, Tarrant County, New Orleans, San Antonio, and the Rio Grande Valley.

The Ideal Candidate

Excited about the thought of joining a fast-paced organization that is dramatically changing the face of public education.

Has previous experience coaching and managing a cohort of teachers and/or campus-based leaders.

Believes they have the potential to move from good to great with the right system and support.

Program

What will you focus on?

The PIR curriculum centers around an Individualized Learning Plan that guides your development on eight very specific “School Leadership Levers.” Moreover, you will share responsibility for critical school achievement goals with current leaders at your school site.

Places

Where will you be?

PIRs are placed in IDEA schools across our three Texas regions:

Rio Grande Valley: Our first and largest region, along the border with Mexico, where our headquarters is also located.

Austin: Our state capital region, where we started as an in-district partnership but are now growing to ten independent IDEA schools.

San Antonio: Our fastest-growing region with the greatest ground-level philanthropic support from the community.

People

Who will you work with?

PIRs are not mere observational learners. They are core members of the “Lead Team” at their school site, alongside the Principal, Assistant Principals for Instruction and Operations, and Counselors. PIRs interact with teachers, leaders, students, and families every single day.

Principal Role

Where are you headed?

PIRs may become principals at either new or existing IDEA schools in one of our seven regions: Austin, Baton Rouge, El Paso, Houston, Tarrant County, New Orleans, San Antonio, and the Rio Grande Valley

Meet Some of Our Principals in Residence

Learn More

Connect with an IDEA Recruiter

Fill out this form to share more information about yourself, as well as any questions you’d like our team to answer.

View the PIR Brochure

Download this brochure to learn more about the Principal In Residence program, including the application and selection process.

FAQs

Is the PIR role paid?

Yes, the PIR role is a full-time, salaried position. Within IDEA, the PIR position is viewed as a promotion from the Assistant Principal role. The salary scale is commensurate with that promotion and competitive with public schools across Texas.

How long do PIRs typically stay in the program before becoming principals?

The PIR program is designed to prepare PIRs to run a new or existing IDEA school within 2-3 years. The decision to promote a PIR into the principal role is primarily based on each PIR’s progress on their individualized development plan, while also taking into account the demands of IDEA school expansion and vacancy timelines.

If selected, when would I begin?

The PIR role begins in the summer. New Leader Training at IDEA typically takes place in mid-July, but this is subject to change based on district plans. If you are selected as a PIR, we will work with you on a transition plan into your role.

If selected, do I get to choose the school site where I complete the residency?

IDEA will take your regional preference into consideration. However, we cannot guarantee placement at a specific campus. We take the matching of PIRs to mentor principals and residency campuses very seriously, and do our utmost to ensure that the PIR is placed in a school where they have the most opportunity to grow and develop.

What does the day-to-day look like for a PIR?

PIRs are not mere observational learners. They are core members of the “Lead Team” at their school site, alongside the Principal, Assistant Principals for Instruction and Operations, and Counselors. PIRs interact with teachers, leaders, students, and families every single day.

What kind of development can I expect as a PIR?

The PIR curriculum centers around an Individualized Learning Plan that guides your development on eight very specific “School Leadership Levers.” You, your mentor principal, and your leadership coach at IDEA all collaborate together to ensure that you are progressing on the levers related to your goals every week.

Ready To Join IDEA’s Principal-in-Residence Program?

Do you still have questions?

Adrian Hernandez Lower Valley

Originally from El Paso, Adrian Hernandez joined IDEA in 2010 via as a secondary teacher and Teach For America Corps Member at IDEA Frontier College Prep in Brownsville, Texas. He is in his 2nd year as a Principal-in-Residence, currently working at IDEA Alamo College Prep in Alamo, Texas. Prior to joining the PIR Program, Adrian was most recently the Director of Alumni Affairs for IDEA, and was part of the team that ensure all IDEA alum persist and graduate from a four-year college or university. Upon successful completion of the PIR program, Adrian will return to his hometown of El Paso to launch one of the first IDEA College Prep campuses in the region.

Shandra Johnson San Antonio

Originally from the Dallas/Forth Worth area, Shandra joined IDEA this year as a Principal-in-Residence. As a 1st Principal-in-Residence, she currently works at IDEA Walzem College Prep in San Antonio. Prior to joining the PIR Program, Shandra worked as a Dean of Students with Uplift Education. Upon successful completion of the PIR program, Shandra will launch an IDEA College Prep campus in the Tarrant County region.

Chris Rubio Austin

Originally from the Rio Grande Valley, Christopher Rubio joined IDEA in 2012 as a secondary teacher after completing his Teach For America service in Atlanta. He is in 1st year as a Principal-in-Residence, currently working at IDEA Allan College Prep in Austin, Texas. Prior to joining the PIR Program, Chris was the Assistant Principal of Instruction at IDEA Allan as well. Upon successful completion of the PIR program, Chris will launch an IDEA College Prep campus in Austin.

Monica Araiza Lower Valley

Originally from Brownsville, Texas, Monica Araiza joined IDEA in 2010 as a secondary teacher. She is in her 1st year as a Principal-in-Residence, currently working at IDEA Brownsville College Prep in her home city. Prior to joining the PIR Program, Monica was the long-standing Assistant Principal of Instruction at IDEA Brownsville as well. Upon successful completion of the PIR program, she will launch a new IDEA College Prep campus in Brownsville.

Carldale Johnson Lower Valley

Originally from Louisiana, Carldale Johnson joined IDEA this year as a Principal-in-Residence. As a 1st Principal-in-Residence, he currently works at IDEA Weslaco Pike Academy in Weslaco, Texas. Prior to joining the PIR Program, Carldale served for many years as an Assistant Principal with the Manor Independent School District in Austin, Texas. Upon successful completion of the PIR program, he will return to his home state of Louisiana launch an IDEA Academy campus in Baton Rouge.

Melissa Sanchez San Antonio

Originally from Philadelphia, Melissa Sanchez joined IDEA this year as a Principal-in-Residence. As a 1st Principal-in-Residence, she currently works at IDEA Monterrey Park Academy in San Antonio, Texas. Prior to joining the PIR Program, Melissa was the Elementary Principal at the City School in Philadelphia. Upon successful completion of the PIR program, Melissa will launch an IDEA Academy campus in San Antonio.

Tony Garza Upper Valley

Originally from Ed Couch Elsa, Texas, Antonio Garza joined IDEA in 2016 as a Principal-in-Residence. He is in his 2nd year as a PIR, currently working at IDEA Quest College Prep in Edinburg, Texas. Prior to joining the PIR Program, Tony was the a middle school principal in the Ed Couch Elsa Independent School District. Upon successful completion of the PIR program, Tony will return to his home city and launch an IDEA College Prep campus there.

Christopher Joyce Upper Valley

Originally from Washington D.C., Christopher Joyce joined IDEA in this year as a Principal-in-Residence. As a 1st Principal-in-Residence, he works at IDEA Quest Academy in Edinburg, Texas. Prior to joining the PIR Program, Chris was one of the highest performing elementary principals in New Orleans, most recently with ReNew Schools. Upon successful completion of the PIR program, Chris will return to New Orleans to launch and lead an IDEA Academy campus.

Free. Focused on College. For All Children.

It is the policy of IDEA Public Schools not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap in its vocational programs, services or activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.